Apparatus for producing flechettes



Oct. 29, 1968 l. J, BOOTS ET AL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FLECHETTES Filed March 9, 1967 INVENTORS IRA J. BOOTS MA CE H. PARIS METZ-JR.

URI HN 1W 7 024., B Jm/md ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,407,463 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FLECHETTES Ira J. Boots, John Metz, Jr., and Maurice H. Paris, Evansville, IntL, assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 9, 1967,'Ser. No. 621,994 6 Claims. (Cl. 29-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Specification This invention relates to wire forming apparatus and in particular to wire forming apparatus for forming fichettes.

In one form of fichette a short length of wire is provided at one end with a sharp point and at the opposite end with radially projecting fins for stabilizing the fie'chette in flight with the pointed, nose end foremost. One method of fabricating such flchettes previously employed was to use a mechanical press which forms the individual flchettes as separate units. The present invention comprehends an improved wire forming apparatus for producing such flchettes in an extremely economical simple manner.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for producing missiles such as fichettes.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus having new and improved means for forming such fichettes with substantially improved efliciency and economy.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus including means for axially advancing a wire stepwise to a forming position, forming means for forming fins in said wire, the forming means being selectively disposable in a retracted disposition spaced laterally rom the forming position and a forming disposition wherein the forming means compressively engages the wire to form fins therein, means for cutting the wire adjacent the forming position subsequent to a stepwise advance of the fin-formed portion beyond the forming position thereby to provide a cut length of the wire, means for pointing the length of wire adjacent the forming portion, and means for operating the forming means, cutting means, and pointing means to cause the cutting and pointing to be effected substantially at the time of application of maximum compressive force to the wire by the forming means.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the cutting means is contiguous to the forming means.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the forming means includes a plurality :of forming dies, and a ram head for forcing the dies compressively against the wire to form the fins, the cutting means being movably received within the head at the time of cutting of the wire.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the pointing means are movably received within the head at the time of cutting of the wire.

3,407,463 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 ice A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the cutting and pointing means comprises a pair of opposed dies and the operating means causes the dies to engage the wire with a velocity substantially higher than that which the forming means engages the Wire.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the cutting means is arranged to cut the wire substantially perpendicularly at the forward end of the fins.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical diametric section thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section similar to that of FIG- URE 2, but with the ram head at the leftmost extreme of its travel and with the cutting dies in wire cutting disposition; and

FIGURIE 4 is a schematic mechanical diagram of the complete apparatus.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, an apparatus generally designated is shown to com-prise an apparatus for forming fichettes 11 from a wire 12 which is axially advanced stepwise to a forming space 13 by a lever feed mechanism generally designated 14, as shown in FIGURE 4. The apparatus 10 includes a plurality, herein four, of forming dies 1-5 for forming fins 16 at spaced portions axially of the wire 12. The apparatus 10 further includes a pair of cut-off dies generally designated 17 for cutting off and providing a pointed end 18 opposite fin end 16 of the missile 11. As shown in FIGURE 4, each of the cut-off dies 17 may be operated by a suitable mechanism 19 and the forming dies may be operated by a suitable head 20 carried on a ram 21. Each of the lever feed mechanism 14, mechanisms U, and ram 21 may be driven from a suitable drive shaft 22, which may be driven by a suitable sprocket 23 from a belt 24 driven by a suitable power source (not shown).

More specifically, the wire 12 may be guided by a sleeve 25 to be accurately centered in space 13 in its stepwise advancement by the lever feed mechanism 14. As schematically illustrated in FIGURE 4, the mechanism 14 may include a drive lever 26 having a pointed end 27 adapted to engage the wire 12 and advance the wire one fichette length during each revolution of the shaft 22. Thus, illustratively, the lever 26 may be carried on a pivot 28 and connected to the shaft 22 by a connecting arm 25 connected by a suitable pivot 30 to the lever 26. The arm 29 may be provided with a suitable connector 31 having a bore 32 rotatably receiving a pin 33 projecting longitudinally from one end of the shaft 22 and spaced radially from the axis 34 thereof.

As indicated briefly above, the forming dies 15 are arranged to form a plurality of fins 16 in the wire 12 in the portion thereof disposed in the forming space 13. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the forming dies 15 are arranged radially to the space 13 at 90 degree intervals. Each die includes a pressure face 35 inclined outwardly relative to the axis of the wire 12 and adapted to be engaged by correspondingly inclined pressure blocks 36 carried by the head 20 so as to force the dies 15 radially inwardly against the action of coil springs 37 to compressively engage the wire 12 and form the fins 16. The radial outward movement of the respective dies 15 may be suitably adjusted by screws 38 extending between the outer ends of the dies 15 and shoulder blocks 39 secured to a main die block 4% by suitable means such as screws 41. The spring 37 acts through a suitable pin 42 to bias the die 15 outwardly as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Each of mechanisms 19 for operating the cut-ofi dies 17, as shown in FIGURE 4, may comprise a shaft 43 carrying a suitable cam 44, and a bevel gear 45 meshing with a bevel gear 46 carried on shaft 22 for rotating the shaft 43 about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wire 12. Thus, once each revolution of the shaft 43, the cam 44 acts against the cut-ofi die 17 to urge it quickly radially inwardly against the wire 12 axially outwardly of the space 13, thereby to cut the wire 12 and concurrently point the end of the cut-off length to form the pointed end 18 of the completed flchette 11. The invention comprehends the arrangement of the earns 44 so as to effect the concurrent cut-off and pointing operation substantially at the time of maximum compression of the wire 12 by the forming dies 15 at which time the wire is most solidly held thereby to provide an improved cut off of the wire by the contiguous cut-ofi dies 17. To permit such concurrent out off and maximum engagement of the wire 12 by the more slowly moved forming dies 15, the head 20 is provided with a pair of opposed slots 47 receiving the cut-off dies 17 in the leftwardmost disposition of the head 20 as shown in FIGURE 3. The position of the head 20 is accurately related to the disposition of the cut-off dies 17 by the ram 21 which is provided with a connecting end 48 journalled on a radially offset portion 49 of the shaft 22 for reciprocation in synchronization with the operation of the cut-01f dies 17 by the cams 44.

As indicated briefly above, the cut off of the fie'chette 11 occurs substantially at the time of maximum compression of the wire by the tin-forming dies 15. Thus, the invention comprehends that the cut offmay occur slightly after this maximum compression condition, but while the forming dies 15 are substantially in the vane-forming disposition.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the constnuction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for producing missiles, comprising:

means for axially advancing a wire stepwise to a forming position; forming means for forming fins in said wire, said formingmeans being selectively disposable in a retracted disposition spaced laterally from said forming position and a forming disposition wherein said forming means compressively engages the wire to form fins therein;

means for cutting the wire adjacent said forming position subsequent to a stepwise advance of'the finformed portion beyond said forming position thereby to provide a cut length of the wire;

means for pointing said length of wire adjacent said forming portion, and

means for operating said forming means, cutting means,

and pointing means to cause said cutting and pointing to be effected substantially at the time of application of maximum compressive force to the wire by said forming means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting means is contiguous to said forming means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said forming means includes a plurality of forming dies, and a ram head for forcing the dies compressively against the wire to form said fins, said cutting means being movably received within said head.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said forming means includes a plurality of forming dies, and a ram head for forcing the dies compressively against the wire to form said fins, said pointing means being movably received within said head.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting and pointing means comprises a pair of opposed dies and said operating means causes said dies to engage the wire with a velocity substantially higher than that which the forming means engages the Wire.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting means is arranged to cut the wire substantially perpendicularly at the forward end of the fins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,356,966 8/ 1944 B-ardell 29-1.2

RICHARD H. EANES, 1a., Primary Examiner. 

